Learn about gardening and composting in our haven of peace and tranquility in Sarthe, France

Details

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  Description

  We’re a 60 year old couple creating a self-sufficient smallholding in the peaceful Sarthe region. We have several outdoor projects in mind on our journey toward sustainability, year round growing and, eventually, establishing a training centre in sustainable horticulture. You can gain hands on experience and learning alonside my partner Malcolm, a soil scientist and horticulturist with a wealth of knowledge to share.
  
  We welcome singles, couples, or travel buddies. We particularly enjoy shared mealtimes,interesting conversations and exchanges. Whilst we’re an English-speaking household, I’m also fluent in French and can help you learn some french. We eat vegetarian meals using lots ofgarden produce.
  
  You will need suitable footwear and clothing for outdoor tasks.
  
  We try to reply promptly, but we don’t check workaway messages daily. If you don’t hear back within 3 days, please send a friendly reminder!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Light maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Native english speaker who has lived & worked in france for last 20 years (as a school chef) so can help with your english and french vocabulary as well as your cooking skills!
  My partner Malcolm is a soil scientist and horticulturalist who is currently setting up a sustainable and self sufficient enterprise and he is keen to share his knowledge in composting, sustainable farming practices and habitat management.
  I also have a part time business making artisanal soy candles and a gite (holiday accomodation) on site -you will not be required to participate in these activities but I am happy to share my knowledge of these areas with you.

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  Help

  We are developing a composting operation to supply our needs and as a future training resource for courses in sustainable farming. Tasks vary from gardening and animal care to making compost.
  You will need appropriate footwear and clothing for outdoor work.
  Ideal for couples with mixed skills. Lots of unskilled work as this is a large property - veggie plot, grass cutting, animals. Ideal period of stay is 10 days to 2 weeks.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I speak fluent english, almost fluent French & would like to learn some Spanish or Italian so open to exchanges.
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  Accommodation

  Two double rooms with shared bathroom/wc and shared shower/wc.
  
  can accomodate campervans or similar and provide external electricity, wifi & access to shower/wc in the house.
  
  Meals provided on days worked & evening meals together, the rest of the time you provide your own.1 week of accomodation for 20 hours of work - days & times flexible.
  
  Meals provided (breakfast, lunch, evening meal), cooking (& washing up) shared to enable discovery of cultural flavours.
  2nd double bed available in my craftroom if travelling as buddies

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  What else ...

  In the national park, very pretty,very relaxing, very agricultural & very hilly. Public transport is practically non existent, train station 10kms away with trains to Laval & Le Mans with connections to Paris and other destinations, bikes may be available for use during your stay. Many walking/ cycling routes here, 500m from the GR36. Near beautiful forest & man made lake, kayaking, horseriding, tree top adventures. 40 kms from Le Mans with its world famous circuit & old town(by train). Zoo de La Fleche, chateaux de la Loire and many other attractions accessible by car.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  desk space available, internet by fibre around 50mbs but can vary

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  Space for parking camper vans

  we can offer parking, electric hook up, wifi and access to shower and wc in the main house.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  we have goats, sheep, horses, chickens (free range), cats and dog - if you have pets they must be well behaved around our pets.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  3 goats, 3 sheep, 1 horse, flock of fancy chickens. We also have a dog and two cats

  pinto

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